01
direkt
direct
Spatial: by the shortest route, without detours.
example
Es gibt einen direkten Flug von Frankfurt nach New York.
There is a direct flight from Frankfurt to New York.
direkt
direct
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Adjective or adverb
'Direkt' can stand before a noun as an adjective and is then declined. But it can also be used as an adverb to describe a verb, an adjective, or a preposition, and then it remains unchanged.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben eine direkte Verbindung ohne Umsteigen.
We have a direct connection with no transfers.
Spatial context
You can often recognize the spatial meaning from combinations with places or prepositions of location. Typical phrases are 'direkt vor' (directly in front of), 'direkt neben' (right next to), or 'direkt am' (directly at/on).
EXAMPLE
Die Apotheke befindet sich direkt gegenüber vom Bahnhof.
The pharmacy is located directly across from the train station.
Temporal context
When 'direkt' has a temporal meaning, it often appears in connection with time expressions or events. A very common combination is 'direkt nach' (immediately after).
EXAMPLE
Ich rufe dich direkt nach der Konferenz zurück.
I'll call you back immediately after the conference.
Typical collocations
In interpersonal contexts, 'direkt' describes open communication. Common combinations are 'eine direkte Frage' (a direct question), 'eine direkte Antwort' (a direct answer), or 'eine direkte Art haben' (to have a direct manner).
EXAMPLE
Er hat mir eine sehr direkte Antwort auf meine Frage gegeben.
He gave me a very direct answer to my question.
Abstract connections
To describe an immediate connection or consequence, 'direkt' is combined with abstract nouns. Typical examples are 'direkter Einfluss' (direct influence), 'direkte Folge' (direct consequence), or 'direkter Zusammenhang' (direct connection).
EXAMPLE
Es gibt einen direkten Zusammenhang zwischen den beiden Ereignissen.
There is a direct connection between the two events.
Colloquial use
In colloquial speech, 'direkt' is used as an intensifying adverb in the sense of 'geradezu' (downright) or 'regelrecht' (positively/absolutely). This use is informal and should be avoided in formal texts.
EXAMPLE
Das war direkt unhöflich, wie er geantwortet hat.
That was downright rude, the way he answered.
Compare with
direkt vs deutsch
German
'deutsch' and 'direkt' are similar only in one specific idiom: 'auf gut Deutsch' means that you say something clearly and without beating around the bush. In this sense, it is similar to 'direkt'. However, 'direkt' can be used generally for open and honest statements. 'Deutsch' does not have this meaning on its own, but only in the fixed expression 'auf gut Deutsch'. Outside this expression, 'deutsch' normally refers to Germany or the German language.
direkt
Herr Hoffmann ist im Gespräch sehr direkt, aber nicht unfreundlich.
Mr. Hoffmann is very direct in conversation, but not unfriendly.
deutsch
Auf gut Deutsch: Wir haben für dieses Projekt zu wenig Zeit.
To put it in plain language: we don't have enough time for this project.
In real life
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